Ear Cropping And Tail Docking Surgical Procedures
Posted on: 27 September 2021
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The physical characteristics of many working-class dog breeds include cropped ears and docked tails. These modifications are conducted solely for cosmetic reasons. Breeders who will be selling full-blooded puppies or pet owners who may decide to enter their dogs in competitions may be more inclined to seek ear cropping and tail docking services.
The Age And Health Of A Puppy
Modifications that involve cutting the ears and tail are typically performed when a puppy is young. Some breeders choose to dock tails themselves and may complete this process when a puppy is one or two weeks old. Due to the risk of infection that is associated with performing a surgical procedure, seeking services through a veterinarian is a safer way to acquire cosmetic modifications for a pet.
Ear cropping is usually performed when a puppy is at least a couple of months old. Younger dogs will endure pain, but the level of pain may not be as severe as it would be if a surgical procedure was performed on an older dog. A veterinarian will assess the health of a puppy, prior to deeming them as an acceptable candidate for a cosmetic surgical procedure.
The Surgery And Care Steps
Any puppy that will undergo a cosmetic surgical procedure will receive anesthesia. Anesthesia allows a veterinarian to make incisions, without causing great distress to an animal. Tail and ear styles vary, and some pet owners may choose to have one or both surgical procedures performed. The cutting of the ears is more complicated than the cutting of a tail. It involves planning the shape of the ears, marking the ears, and making an incision.
After anesthesia is administered, a surgical instrument is used to cut excess skin. Each incision is sutured. The main purpose of ear cropping is to get the ears to stand up straight. The sides of cropped ears tend to taper toward a point at the top of each ear. Because the cropped ear shape is not a natural one, reinforcement will be needed to stabilize each ear. A lightweight plastic brace may be secured to each cropped ear. The braces will prevent the ears from folding downward.
While a puppy is healing from a surgical procedure, a cone may need to be secured around its head. The cone will prevent a puppy from licking or chewing the sutures. Medication should be applied to the areas where an incision was made. After a couple of weeks have passed, a veterinarian will provide follow-up care and will remove the sutures.